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Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent
The first definitive natural history of the Indian subcontinent.
Did you know that the exquisite caves of Ellora were hewn from rock formed in the greatest lava floods the world has known—eruptions so enormous that they may well have obliterated dinosaurs? Or that Bengaluru owes its unique climate to a tectonic event that took place 88 million years ago? That the Ganga and Brahmaputra sequester nearly 20 per cent of global carbon, and their sediments over millions of years have etched submarine canyons in the Bay of Bengal that are larger than the Grand Canyon? Ever heard of Rajasaurus, an Indian dinosaur which was perhaps more ferocious than T rex? Many such amazing facts and discoveries—from 70-million-year-old crocodile eggs in Mumbai to the nesting ground of dinosaurs near Ahmedabad—are a part of Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent.
Researching across wide-ranging scientific disciplines and travelling with scientists all over the country, biochemist Pranay Lal has woven together the first compelling narrative of India’s deep natural history, filled with fierce reptiles, fantastic dinosaurs, gargantuan mammals and amazing plants. This story, which includes a rare collection of images, illustrations and maps, starts at the very beginning—from the time when a galactic swirl of dust coalesced to become our life-giving planet—and ends with the arrival of our ancestors on the banks of the Indus. Pranay Lal tells this story with verve, lucidity and an infectious enthusiasm that comes from his deep, abiding love of nature
Did you know that the exquisite caves of Ellora were hewn from rock formed in the greatest lava floods the world has known—eruptions so enormous that they may well have obliterated dinosaurs? Or that Bengaluru owes its unique climate to a tectonic event that took place 88 million years ago? That the Ganga and Brahmaputra sequester nearly 20 per cent of global carbon, and their sediments over millions of years have etched submarine canyons in the Bay of Bengal that are larger than the Grand Canyon? Ever heard of Rajasaurus, an Indian dinosaur which was perhaps more ferocious than T rex? Many such amazing facts and discoveries—from 70-million-year-old crocodile eggs in Mumbai to the nesting ground of dinosaurs near Ahmedabad—are a part of Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent.
Researching across wide-ranging scientific disciplines and travelling with scientists all over the country, biochemist Pranay Lal has woven together the first compelling narrative of India’s deep natural history, filled with fierce reptiles, fantastic dinosaurs, gargantuan mammals and amazing plants. This story, which includes a rare collection of images, illustrations and maps, starts at the very beginning—from the time when a galactic swirl of dust coalesced to become our life-giving planet—and ends with the arrival of our ancestors on the banks of the Indus. Pranay Lal tells this story with verve, lucidity and an infectious enthusiasm that comes from his deep, abiding love of nature
468 pages, Hardcover
Published December 7, 2016
About the author
Pranay Lal
2 books37 followersPranay Lal is a biochemist who works in the spheres of public health and environment. His first book Indica: A Deep Natural History of the Indian Subcontinent won the 2017 Tata Lit Prize, the World Book Fair Award, among others, and was named by Mint Lounge as one of the fifty must-read books about India since Independence. You can reach him at invisible.empire@tutanota.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 28, 2018
The most important aspect of science writing is to get the facts right. It has been a pain in the ass to cross check everything written in this book.
Pranay Lal wrote that the "Deccan eruptions were the greatest lava floods in Earth’s history", but he didn't provide any reference to back it up. Also, Deccan Traps is not even close to other bigger flood basalt events like the Siberian Traps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_b...
https://www.wired.com/2013/04/stop-ca...
And also in the author's own words, there is another problematic issue with this book "—that of bias. I may have during the course of my interactions with experts leaned slightly towards one school of thought or belief over the other." This is very obvious when he says that the dinosaurs are extinct because of the Deccan volcanic eruptions, which played a major part and dismissed the Chicxulub impact as just a blip.
The asteroid impact on Earth 66 million years ago accelerated the eruptions of volcanoes in India for hundreds of thousands of years, and that together caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
http://news.berkeley.edu/2015/10/01/a...
The author cites the work of Gerta Keller and other scientific literature which oppose the Alvarez hypothesis but he doesn't cite any articles which support the Alvarez hypothesis.
Science is interesting as it is, even without cherry picking or exaggerating the facts.
Pranay Lal wrote that the "Deccan eruptions were the greatest lava floods in Earth’s history", but he didn't provide any reference to back it up. Also, Deccan Traps is not even close to other bigger flood basalt events like the Siberian Traps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_b...
https://www.wired.com/2013/04/stop-ca...
And also in the author's own words, there is another problematic issue with this book "—that of bias. I may have during the course of my interactions with experts leaned slightly towards one school of thought or belief over the other." This is very obvious when he says that the dinosaurs are extinct because of the Deccan volcanic eruptions, which played a major part and dismissed the Chicxulub impact as just a blip.
The asteroid impact on Earth 66 million years ago accelerated the eruptions of volcanoes in India for hundreds of thousands of years, and that together caused the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
http://news.berkeley.edu/2015/10/01/a...
The author cites the work of Gerta Keller and other scientific literature which oppose the Alvarez hypothesis but he doesn't cite any articles which support the Alvarez hypothesis.
Science is interesting as it is, even without cherry picking or exaggerating the facts.
March 1, 2017
This is a book to be physically possessed. Its beautiful cover and brilliant illustrations would have been half the reason to buy even without an interest in the subject. It is an excellent guide book to the places around your home in India that still hold evidence of its geographical history. Pranay Lal includes specific instructions to help an enthusiastic reader / traveler. It is an urgent book, often talking of disappearing fossil record and carelessly abandoned specimens. It is an educative book written in simple, clear prose and hence accessible to the student or the amateur.
But personally for me Pranay Lal has written a book that fills a gap on our shelves right now covering an area - India's natural history - that is not accessible to non-experts. It addressed a gap in my mind. I live in the Deccan and have always been around the grey rocks that make up my landscape. Deccan Trap Eruption only whispered in the popular media made me think that this is the extent of geographical history of the place. Reading this book helped me stretch my imagination and that time period - going right back to the time of earth's creation and following a path to the present day through evidence that was all around me.
But personally for me Pranay Lal has written a book that fills a gap on our shelves right now covering an area - India's natural history - that is not accessible to non-experts. It addressed a gap in my mind. I live in the Deccan and have always been around the grey rocks that make up my landscape. Deccan Trap Eruption only whispered in the popular media made me think that this is the extent of geographical history of the place. Reading this book helped me stretch my imagination and that time period - going right back to the time of earth's creation and following a path to the present day through evidence that was all around me.
March 8, 2017
Hi Pranay...Thank you for writing this book. It is a matter of great pride that Indians are now starting to write books on India. This one is truly a landmark !
So, I got to know about the yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer, the marble rocks of Bhedaghat and how did various animals populate India. The illustrations are great and imaginative. The research is solid and the story telling is fluid and interesting. The chapters are just the right size - not too long or short.
One thing you might have covered is the latest research on which genetic pool we belong to. (What might be interesting was to get educated on the the genetic provenance of say Kodavas or Kashmiris or any of the other clans of India.) It also would have been interesting would be to understand where agriculture began in India. And some insights on say the Bheembetka-like caves. Somehow, I thought the book ended abruptly. So maybe you are working on another one ! Look forward. But overall great job.
So, I got to know about the yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer, the marble rocks of Bhedaghat and how did various animals populate India. The illustrations are great and imaginative. The research is solid and the story telling is fluid and interesting. The chapters are just the right size - not too long or short.
One thing you might have covered is the latest research on which genetic pool we belong to. (What might be interesting was to get educated on the the genetic provenance of say Kodavas or Kashmiris or any of the other clans of India.) It also would have been interesting would be to understand where agriculture began in India. And some insights on say the Bheembetka-like caves. Somehow, I thought the book ended abruptly. So maybe you are working on another one ! Look forward. But overall great job.
July 5, 2018
I admit that I read this book mainly due to peer pressure - from friends and family. Am I glad I read it - A resounding YES! Did I enjoy it as much as I thought I would - unfortunately, no. I was hoping for a good introduction to the natural history of the subcontinent, what I got was a lot of wow facts and a reinforcement that this subject is extremely interesting.
The best part of the book for me was the enthusiasm of the author, it is highly infectious. Pranay Lal is evidently deeply fascinated by the subject and that comes through in every page of the book. Lots (LOTS!) of research has gone into this book, the plates are simply brilliant and the extensive reference section is a boon to any person inclined to serious research. The way I travel across the country will definitely change after this read. Rocks and landscapes that hitherto went unnoticed will now be the subject of newfound interest and respect. The author also leaves you cringing at how much valuable information we have lost due to incessant quarrying and construction. There are many wow moments in the book, when you just have to call a friend immediately and share the find - "Did you know..."?
That being said, it made for a very frustrating read at times and I spent a significant part of reading time cursing the editor. The pages are peppered with contradicting, sometimes incomplete ideas and loosely used terms. For e.g. Usage of the word 'ape' and 'ape-like' to describe the ancestors of hominids was ambiguous. The term 'apes' is not a taxonomic label and the context should have been set before using the word. The narrative moves back and forth and it is difficult to get a clear picture of the timeline of events. The earth woman analogy was a good one though and it did help to a certain extent. Personally, I don't look for humor or intelligent wordplay (that would be a bonus) in a popular science book but lucidity and accuracy are extremely important and I felt this book was lacking in both. I really, really hope there is a second edition of this book because a few corrections, fact checks and some reorg to address the flow can potentially make this a must read, especially given that there are not too many books that address this topic from an Indian perspective.
The best part of the book for me was the enthusiasm of the author, it is highly infectious. Pranay Lal is evidently deeply fascinated by the subject and that comes through in every page of the book. Lots (LOTS!) of research has gone into this book, the plates are simply brilliant and the extensive reference section is a boon to any person inclined to serious research. The way I travel across the country will definitely change after this read. Rocks and landscapes that hitherto went unnoticed will now be the subject of newfound interest and respect. The author also leaves you cringing at how much valuable information we have lost due to incessant quarrying and construction. There are many wow moments in the book, when you just have to call a friend immediately and share the find - "Did you know..."?
That being said, it made for a very frustrating read at times and I spent a significant part of reading time cursing the editor. The pages are peppered with contradicting, sometimes incomplete ideas and loosely used terms. For e.g. Usage of the word 'ape' and 'ape-like' to describe the ancestors of hominids was ambiguous. The term 'apes' is not a taxonomic label and the context should have been set before using the word. The narrative moves back and forth and it is difficult to get a clear picture of the timeline of events. The earth woman analogy was a good one though and it did help to a certain extent. Personally, I don't look for humor or intelligent wordplay (that would be a bonus) in a popular science book but lucidity and accuracy are extremely important and I felt this book was lacking in both. I really, really hope there is a second edition of this book because a few corrections, fact checks and some reorg to address the flow can potentially make this a must read, especially given that there are not too many books that address this topic from an Indian perspective.
December 3, 2019
What makes Pranay Lal's book so very compelling, fascinating and a must-read is his masterly overview of a vast literature on a vast subject over an unimaginably vast timescale brought to life by a deft personal touch and palpable and contagious passion for the topics that he takes on. As a result, he does not just narrate myriad fascinating facts and theories about the geology, paleontology and multiple lifeforms of the landmass that now constitutes India and its neighbors but, and distinctively for these themes can easily be made arid, he brings every sediment, every fossil and every local animal and plant described in the book, to life. And that I believe is because his observations are not just scholarly but also possess the wide-eyed keenness and excitement of a curious school boy out to explore the woods. It is this joy, freshness and perpetual sense of wonder which makes Indica such a special book - you can tell that the author has visited every site that he describes and lovingly gazed upon its contours. This is the story of us and the land that we live on and what an amazing and still unfolding story it is. This is a story that everyone should read to recognize both our place in this grand saga and also to marvel at the wonder which creation is - as also the miracle that humans are with their ability to actually try and make sense of it all. And did I mention that this evocative narrative is beautifully illustrated? This one is to be savored, hoarded and often revisited.
December 23, 2019
We have come across many ‘histories’ of India. Some will cover the British period, some would include the Mughals too and a few might cover everything from the Indus civilization. Beyond a few centuries, such narratives are constrained in scope by current political boundaries. Any meaningful exposition of the story of India prior to 1947 must include those events occurred within the present frontiers of Pakistan to be of relevance and objectivity. Natural history, on the other hand, quite freely does away with political boundaries conjured up in the twentieth century. The origin and development of the flora and fauna, of continents, mountain ranges and geography in general is a truly global study. With this in the background, I was a little surprised at the boldness in the book’s subtitle ‘a deep natural history of the Indian subcontinent’. Anyhow, this book turned out to be an informatively extravagant affair in which India acts as the pivot of the narrative. It does not mean that India was something special or different from others. Going by the author’s scientific outlook, the converse is vindicated in this book, that is, India was just like any other landmass across the globe and it was pure chance that lifeforms emerged and evolved here, just like anywhere in the world. Whatever little speciality it can claim is the speed – in geological terms – with which it shot through the ocean and hit the Eurasian landmass to make the Himalayas. Pranay Lal begins the story at the beginning of it all. He addresses the question of how the earth came into being and how rocks, continents and lifeforms emerged. Each topic is made richer by recounting examples from India. In that sense, this book is a great motivator for people who want to travel and explore the country. The author is a biochemist and an artist who works in public health and environment. He has extensive publications in the areas of public health, global trade, ecology and mysterious fevers.
As noted above, the book is dedicated to India. It points out examples and comparisons of the theories that explain geographical and biological concepts. The Pranhita-Godavari Valley is truly remarkable for it holds within it the entire spectrum of vertebrates from primitive fish and early amphibians to the first dinosaurs and early mammals. Even hand tools made by early humans have been discovered here. The author brings in objects and ideas familiar to Indian readers to express notions of natural science. The early lungfish that stepped on land is said to have grown to the size of a scooter or an auto-rickshaw. The comparison of the physical dimensions of a creature to the two most popular kinds of vehicles prevalent in India sets the tone of the discussion. It lists out the remnant fossils of sea life and creatures found in the Himalayas and Rajasthan and the strange tectonic events that has the immense power to elevate an ocean floor to a continent or transform a dried-up lake to a plateau.
Travellers to Hampi in Karnataka are captivated by the strange assortment of all types of volcanic rocks found in large quantities there. Boulders are found at other places in the Deccan too. Lal discloses the profound events that caused this massive upheaval. Around 68 million years ago, one of the most massive volcanic eruptions occurred in the Indian Ocean and continued for four million years. This happened near the present location of the Reunion Islands and just when the Indian subcontinent was moving above the spot on its onward journey to collide with Asia. This had a huge role in shaping the landscape and life in Greater India. There was a series of eruptions and the second one lasted a million years and produced nearly eighty per cent of all the lava released. It decimated almost all large animals on land, most large reptiles and many fish in the seas. Noxious gases cut off sun's rays and aggravated extinction on a planetary scale. Here, the author follows a slightly different argument than the established repertoire by hinting that this event had caused the extinction of dinosaurs in the world. He accepts that ‘a 5 to 15 km-sized meteor struck the earth at Chicxulub in the Gulf of Mexico close on the heels of the second eruption’. But the meteor impact is given only secondary importance. The Deccan eruptions were the greatest lava floods in earth’s history. The exposed lava flow in India covers an astounding area of 500,000 sq.km (roughly the size of Spain). It is only natural to expect that such a cataclysmic event will engender persistent acid rain and change of climate which would spell doom for the big animals.
This book is a general history of the world till the time the earliest Homo sapiens arrived in India on their exodus from Africa. It identifies three triggers that catalyzed the evolution of ape-like ancestors into full-fledged hominins. They are the ability to walk on two legs; a constantly growing brain and intelligence which led them to make tools, tame fire and cook meat. Homo erectus was the most prolific ancestor of humans, but very few fossils of them have been found so far in India and no complete skeleton has been found anywhere in the world. It is interesting to note that the largest ape ever walked on earth and which is supposed to have lived between 9 million and 120,000 years ago, was a ‘native’ of India. This giant ape is named Gigantopithecus bilaspurensis, as its fossil was found from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. It used to have a height of three meters and though believed to have gone extinct 120,000 years ago, is there any chance that a few of them might still be alive and form the basis of the legend of yati, a large snowman believed by some to live in the inaccessible Himalayan mountains? The author, however, does not mention this probably because even the slightest reference to yati may take away the sheen of scientific rigour from the book. This book gives an ingenious tip to measure variations in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by counting the stomata in leaves collected over a number of years. This is very helpful for aficionados and is delightfully simple.
Pranay Lal claims that this book is the culmination of over twenty years of research, travel, conversations, interviews and a lifetime awe of nature. Every page in the book attests to this proclamation. It has the ordinary reader in mind when it explains the way in which scientific names are coined. The parts in the nomenclature are split and the Greek words elucidated. For example, the ape named Shivapithecus has the first part of its name ‘Shiva’ derived from Sivalik Hills which was its habitat and ‘pithecus’ means ape. The copy I had read was a hardback with very fine quality pages and excellent colour photographs lavishly thrown in. Naturally, this makes the book somewhat heavy. Indica is a book which is a must-have for all science enthusiasts who also love India.
The book is highly recommended.
As noted above, the book is dedicated to India. It points out examples and comparisons of the theories that explain geographical and biological concepts. The Pranhita-Godavari Valley is truly remarkable for it holds within it the entire spectrum of vertebrates from primitive fish and early amphibians to the first dinosaurs and early mammals. Even hand tools made by early humans have been discovered here. The author brings in objects and ideas familiar to Indian readers to express notions of natural science. The early lungfish that stepped on land is said to have grown to the size of a scooter or an auto-rickshaw. The comparison of the physical dimensions of a creature to the two most popular kinds of vehicles prevalent in India sets the tone of the discussion. It lists out the remnant fossils of sea life and creatures found in the Himalayas and Rajasthan and the strange tectonic events that has the immense power to elevate an ocean floor to a continent or transform a dried-up lake to a plateau.
Travellers to Hampi in Karnataka are captivated by the strange assortment of all types of volcanic rocks found in large quantities there. Boulders are found at other places in the Deccan too. Lal discloses the profound events that caused this massive upheaval. Around 68 million years ago, one of the most massive volcanic eruptions occurred in the Indian Ocean and continued for four million years. This happened near the present location of the Reunion Islands and just when the Indian subcontinent was moving above the spot on its onward journey to collide with Asia. This had a huge role in shaping the landscape and life in Greater India. There was a series of eruptions and the second one lasted a million years and produced nearly eighty per cent of all the lava released. It decimated almost all large animals on land, most large reptiles and many fish in the seas. Noxious gases cut off sun's rays and aggravated extinction on a planetary scale. Here, the author follows a slightly different argument than the established repertoire by hinting that this event had caused the extinction of dinosaurs in the world. He accepts that ‘a 5 to 15 km-sized meteor struck the earth at Chicxulub in the Gulf of Mexico close on the heels of the second eruption’. But the meteor impact is given only secondary importance. The Deccan eruptions were the greatest lava floods in earth’s history. The exposed lava flow in India covers an astounding area of 500,000 sq.km (roughly the size of Spain). It is only natural to expect that such a cataclysmic event will engender persistent acid rain and change of climate which would spell doom for the big animals.
This book is a general history of the world till the time the earliest Homo sapiens arrived in India on their exodus from Africa. It identifies three triggers that catalyzed the evolution of ape-like ancestors into full-fledged hominins. They are the ability to walk on two legs; a constantly growing brain and intelligence which led them to make tools, tame fire and cook meat. Homo erectus was the most prolific ancestor of humans, but very few fossils of them have been found so far in India and no complete skeleton has been found anywhere in the world. It is interesting to note that the largest ape ever walked on earth and which is supposed to have lived between 9 million and 120,000 years ago, was a ‘native’ of India. This giant ape is named Gigantopithecus bilaspurensis, as its fossil was found from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. It used to have a height of three meters and though believed to have gone extinct 120,000 years ago, is there any chance that a few of them might still be alive and form the basis of the legend of yati, a large snowman believed by some to live in the inaccessible Himalayan mountains? The author, however, does not mention this probably because even the slightest reference to yati may take away the sheen of scientific rigour from the book. This book gives an ingenious tip to measure variations in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by counting the stomata in leaves collected over a number of years. This is very helpful for aficionados and is delightfully simple.
Pranay Lal claims that this book is the culmination of over twenty years of research, travel, conversations, interviews and a lifetime awe of nature. Every page in the book attests to this proclamation. It has the ordinary reader in mind when it explains the way in which scientific names are coined. The parts in the nomenclature are split and the Greek words elucidated. For example, the ape named Shivapithecus has the first part of its name ‘Shiva’ derived from Sivalik Hills which was its habitat and ‘pithecus’ means ape. The copy I had read was a hardback with very fine quality pages and excellent colour photographs lavishly thrown in. Naturally, this makes the book somewhat heavy. Indica is a book which is a must-have for all science enthusiasts who also love India.
The book is highly recommended.
March 19, 2017
This fantastic book is by a master story teller. It is with ease that he explains the most complex things across many different fields of science, making it all fit into a breathtaking story spread across 4 billion times. I wish I had someone like him as a teacher in school. And I hope that this book is in every school library and is translated into Indian languages.
Also, get the book and not the e-book.
Also, get the book and not the e-book.
June 29, 2017
This book is an incredible tour de force. The book is a geological history of the Indian Subcontinent.
Human history of Indian Subcontinent itself is such ancient but the geographical history of immensely vast when compared to the human history.
This book captures the entire history of this ancient landmass from the time the earth was formed billions of years ago. It is such a vast and dry subject but the author has captured it in a such vivid and intense and amazing manner. The key thing that works wonders in this book is the relation to the current. It is with such amazing realization we are turning the pages. We are filled with a sense of awe and great fullness about everything about the existence of everything including life.
The book traces the geographical events and relates to the current terrain and it opens us to the immense greatness of our planet. Take for instance the information that the Nandi Hills which is a famous tourist hills located near Bangalore is made of rock which is 3.5 billion years ago.
Or the fact that my native of Trichy once had massive dinosaurs roaming about by the fossils identified. This fill us with such amazement and wonder.
The other aspect of the book is the lyrical writing of the author. Subjects like paleontology or fossil fuels are immensely dry but it is written in a manner that makes it so gripping.
Take for instance the analogy of comparing the age of earth with a 46 year old lady and life just started in the middle of 42 years. Human beings evolved in the middle of the last week and industrial revolution is just a minute old in the giant scale of time of our 46 year old mother.
Another aspect is the sheer amazing events that shaped our planet which impacts us in surprising ways of our lives even today. Take for instance the coal belt of present day Jharkand, Bihar was formed by continuous submerging of forests layer on top of layer which happened due to the incessant rains that happened for around 1000 of years.
Or Say take for example the Palaghat pass which connects the states of Tamilnadu and Kerela was formed when the Indian subcontinent which was connected to Madagascar and when it started moving towards Eurasia the land was split and that opening is the point in which Madagascar split with the Indian Subcontinent.
These make us wonder what an immensely mysterious thing this life is and how small we are in the infinite expanse of the universe.
As you read through this book you are always filled with amazement at the idea of human life and also our very small place in this earth.
If you have sons , daughters gift it to them this should be a bestseller and it can inspire them to achieve great heights.
Human history of Indian Subcontinent itself is such ancient but the geographical history of immensely vast when compared to the human history.
This book captures the entire history of this ancient landmass from the time the earth was formed billions of years ago. It is such a vast and dry subject but the author has captured it in a such vivid and intense and amazing manner. The key thing that works wonders in this book is the relation to the current. It is with such amazing realization we are turning the pages. We are filled with a sense of awe and great fullness about everything about the existence of everything including life.
The book traces the geographical events and relates to the current terrain and it opens us to the immense greatness of our planet. Take for instance the information that the Nandi Hills which is a famous tourist hills located near Bangalore is made of rock which is 3.5 billion years ago.
Or the fact that my native of Trichy once had massive dinosaurs roaming about by the fossils identified. This fill us with such amazement and wonder.
The other aspect of the book is the lyrical writing of the author. Subjects like paleontology or fossil fuels are immensely dry but it is written in a manner that makes it so gripping.
Take for instance the analogy of comparing the age of earth with a 46 year old lady and life just started in the middle of 42 years. Human beings evolved in the middle of the last week and industrial revolution is just a minute old in the giant scale of time of our 46 year old mother.
Another aspect is the sheer amazing events that shaped our planet which impacts us in surprising ways of our lives even today. Take for instance the coal belt of present day Jharkand, Bihar was formed by continuous submerging of forests layer on top of layer which happened due to the incessant rains that happened for around 1000 of years.
Or Say take for example the Palaghat pass which connects the states of Tamilnadu and Kerela was formed when the Indian subcontinent which was connected to Madagascar and when it started moving towards Eurasia the land was split and that opening is the point in which Madagascar split with the Indian Subcontinent.
These make us wonder what an immensely mysterious thing this life is and how small we are in the infinite expanse of the universe.
As you read through this book you are always filled with amazement at the idea of human life and also our very small place in this earth.
If you have sons , daughters gift it to them this should be a bestseller and it can inspire them to achieve great heights.
September 16, 2017
In Indica, Pranay Lal takes us through the highs and the lows (literally) of Earth Woman, as he calls our planet and Mother India - from the birth of Earth to the arrival of Homo Sapiens sapiens (the modern human being). One must read this book to learn how the river systems of Madagascar and India are connected, that Bengaluru hosts perhaps some of the oldest rocks on the earth's crust and countenance the fact that a contender to the 'largest dinosaur' race probably roamed in the Deccan. At the end, the reader is left with a baffling anomaly, a counterpart to a cliffhanger in a novel. Lal is at the same time a brilliant researcher, fastidious and interactive; and a masterful narrator taking us along with his breathtaking storytelling. It is difficult to be disappointed by the momentum and honesty of the book.
February 6, 2017
Perhaps the most joyful non fiction book that I'll read this year. As the blurb says, it's the first book on natural history in India. Vast in scope yet interesting in details, reading this book was a throwback to my childhood when I used to forage through those reference books with lovely illustrations. Sweeping as the book is in scope, it must be difficult to not get into details and bore the reader. Pranay has struck the right balance. If you read one non fiction book about India this year, this should be it.
Read
January 20, 2019As I haven't come across a lot of literature that explores natural history of the Indian sub-continent, this was a good deep dive. The book covers a lot of areas in broad strokes and provides great pictorial representation of them. If not anything, its a good starting point for further reading with neatly organized references to go through.
March 2, 2020
Settle for nothing less than the hardcover version. What a pleasure to hold! I don't remember the last time I involuntarily squealed at the surprises within, and I was only on the inside flap. Book itself can be read with any level of attention - from light image browsing for tired days to jumping into an endnote rabbit-hole for nerdier days. Buy one for yourself and one for every child you know.
February 6, 2019
This is a great concept for a book, and was generally interesting to read, but in terms of style it just doesn't compare to other popular geology regional landscape/history books like Richard Fortey's "The Hidden Landscape" and John McPhee's masterpiece, "Annals of the Former World", or Simon Lamb's account of his geological work in the Andes. This book certainly fits in the same genre, but it just lacks the finesse of these other books and the sense of personal investment that their authors have with the material. This one kind of reads like a guidebook and compendium of facts, with a classic textbook structure derived from the geological timeline, instead of a personal narrative that the author builds around the material. This makes it sort of a drag to read, where the other books I mentioned are page turners, not only is the story of the earth unfolding, but it does so in the context of a story of personal growth or journey or scientific discovery. So that was my first disappointment with Indica.
The other thing I noticed quickly is that there are a lot of basic geological errors in this book, and the author glosses over a lot of important qualifying information in the attempt to cram so many facts in the chapters. One thing that comes to mind is the author's account of subduction processes, where he writes,
“When new sea floor forms at the lagging end of a plate, old sea floor which is at the front end of the plate dives into the depth of the oceans’ trenches. These tracts of land (mostly rock) are transported to about 600 kilometres deep into Earth where under pressure and heat they melt into a grey-white, violently bubbling molten fluid. Once this hot mass builds up and the space below is no longer able to contain it, it ascends upwards and oozes out as lava.”
However it is common knowledge that subduction related volcanism is caused by depressurization of the mantle due to the mixing of volatiles entrained in the downward subducting slab, which lowers the melting point of the mantle causing it to partially melt, ascending first diapirically through less buoyant ductile rock, and then through fault controlled conduits, dikes and sills, in the brittle zone, where it pools and fractionally crystallizes before erupting as a result of rapid depressurization as volatiles in the magma expand with their ascent. So the problems are 1.) It's not heat or lack of space that triggers volcanism in subduction zones, which are among the coldest places in the lithosphere, but the wetness, the addition of water and other volatiles which decreases the melting point of the rock. 2.) There is no violent bubbling, molten liquid rising from under the earth. The magma or melt is a partial melt, and bubbles only appear once the magma erupts and the volatiles are freed. Who has ever seen a vesicular granite before? 3.) it's not grey and white until it cools. Hot rock at those temperatures glows with infrared radiation. 4.) Subduction related eruptions are often of intermediate and felsic composition, a sticky magma which erupts violently and explosively - it does not ooze out of these kind of volcanoes. (though sometimes residual basaltic melts do ooze out in small amounts) 5.). Subducted oceanic crust is not "land", nor has it ever been land. Any land, that is, continental crust, that interacts with a subduction zone is either going to be accreted, obducted, or piled up in a collision zone as mountains, it is simply too buoyant to subduct completely.
Shortly after he claims that "No major plate straddles an entire continent".... but the African, South American, Australian, and of course the Antarctic plates all do. Such careless and incorrect statements abound in this book, which is particularly irksome in statements like this, where such a thing is not even necessary to write in explaining plate tectonics and is written with an air of factuality.
Just after this there is, “The Yellowstone National Park, for example, sits over a massive subterranean volcano and is an imminent threat to all of North America.” - more fearmongering about Yellowstone... in geological time it may be imminent, but certainly not in human time which the word imminent is taken to mean. Besides this most people who have studied Yellowstone's Volcano know that it is unlikely to erupt with such supervolcanism as it has in the past, and that the prediction of such an eruption is incredibly difficult and quite unknown. It just feels like this author is shooting off the hip without making balanced scientific claims.
Another one is “The Nazca Plate which moves eastwards towards the east coast of South America consumes the margin of the continental shelf.” - no, the Nazca plate, the subducted plate is consumed, building the continental margin through accretion of seafloor sediments.
I want to enjoy the book but with statements like this that are just flat out wrong, how can I trust anything the author is telling me about things I don't know, like the details of regional Indian geology and paleontology?
“A land mass is simply that part of the plate that is raised out of water” ok, that's obvious, but why not elaborate and describe why it is that the earth has a bimodal distribution of oceanic crust and continental crust, and why continents float above sea level, and oceans are mainly confined to deep basin supported by oceanic crust? That's the interesting part of it all.
In this book so far I have come across several instances like this where the basic geology is just wrong and or oversimplified, which is troublesome in a book like this with its matter of fact tone.
Also, for being supposedly a "deep natural history" a surprising amount of the tectonic history of India is only briefly mentioned, namely the entire Proterozoic and Archean tectonic history. We learn there are such old rocks in India, but not how they got there or what the paleogeographic context was. He also fails to mention the rifting of the Cimmmerian microcontinent in the Phanerozoic when he mentions the Large Igneous Province that accompanied it. Basically I'm the book just focuses on a lot of the most well known and overdone parts of earth history - the rise of vertebrates, dinosaurs, two mass extinctions, and the Himalayas.
While these are surely a big part of the story of India, I was really hoping that a "deep natural history" and book of this sort would actually go deeper and tell me something I don't already know.
The other thing I noticed quickly is that there are a lot of basic geological errors in this book, and the author glosses over a lot of important qualifying information in the attempt to cram so many facts in the chapters. One thing that comes to mind is the author's account of subduction processes, where he writes,
“When new sea floor forms at the lagging end of a plate, old sea floor which is at the front end of the plate dives into the depth of the oceans’ trenches. These tracts of land (mostly rock) are transported to about 600 kilometres deep into Earth where under pressure and heat they melt into a grey-white, violently bubbling molten fluid. Once this hot mass builds up and the space below is no longer able to contain it, it ascends upwards and oozes out as lava.”
However it is common knowledge that subduction related volcanism is caused by depressurization of the mantle due to the mixing of volatiles entrained in the downward subducting slab, which lowers the melting point of the mantle causing it to partially melt, ascending first diapirically through less buoyant ductile rock, and then through fault controlled conduits, dikes and sills, in the brittle zone, where it pools and fractionally crystallizes before erupting as a result of rapid depressurization as volatiles in the magma expand with their ascent. So the problems are 1.) It's not heat or lack of space that triggers volcanism in subduction zones, which are among the coldest places in the lithosphere, but the wetness, the addition of water and other volatiles which decreases the melting point of the rock. 2.) There is no violent bubbling, molten liquid rising from under the earth. The magma or melt is a partial melt, and bubbles only appear once the magma erupts and the volatiles are freed. Who has ever seen a vesicular granite before? 3.) it's not grey and white until it cools. Hot rock at those temperatures glows with infrared radiation. 4.) Subduction related eruptions are often of intermediate and felsic composition, a sticky magma which erupts violently and explosively - it does not ooze out of these kind of volcanoes. (though sometimes residual basaltic melts do ooze out in small amounts) 5.). Subducted oceanic crust is not "land", nor has it ever been land. Any land, that is, continental crust, that interacts with a subduction zone is either going to be accreted, obducted, or piled up in a collision zone as mountains, it is simply too buoyant to subduct completely.
Shortly after he claims that "No major plate straddles an entire continent".... but the African, South American, Australian, and of course the Antarctic plates all do. Such careless and incorrect statements abound in this book, which is particularly irksome in statements like this, where such a thing is not even necessary to write in explaining plate tectonics and is written with an air of factuality.
Just after this there is, “The Yellowstone National Park, for example, sits over a massive subterranean volcano and is an imminent threat to all of North America.” - more fearmongering about Yellowstone... in geological time it may be imminent, but certainly not in human time which the word imminent is taken to mean. Besides this most people who have studied Yellowstone's Volcano know that it is unlikely to erupt with such supervolcanism as it has in the past, and that the prediction of such an eruption is incredibly difficult and quite unknown. It just feels like this author is shooting off the hip without making balanced scientific claims.
Another one is “The Nazca Plate which moves eastwards towards the east coast of South America consumes the margin of the continental shelf.” - no, the Nazca plate, the subducted plate is consumed, building the continental margin through accretion of seafloor sediments.
I want to enjoy the book but with statements like this that are just flat out wrong, how can I trust anything the author is telling me about things I don't know, like the details of regional Indian geology and paleontology?
“A land mass is simply that part of the plate that is raised out of water” ok, that's obvious, but why not elaborate and describe why it is that the earth has a bimodal distribution of oceanic crust and continental crust, and why continents float above sea level, and oceans are mainly confined to deep basin supported by oceanic crust? That's the interesting part of it all.
In this book so far I have come across several instances like this where the basic geology is just wrong and or oversimplified, which is troublesome in a book like this with its matter of fact tone.
Also, for being supposedly a "deep natural history" a surprising amount of the tectonic history of India is only briefly mentioned, namely the entire Proterozoic and Archean tectonic history. We learn there are such old rocks in India, but not how they got there or what the paleogeographic context was. He also fails to mention the rifting of the Cimmmerian microcontinent in the Phanerozoic when he mentions the Large Igneous Province that accompanied it. Basically I'm the book just focuses on a lot of the most well known and overdone parts of earth history - the rise of vertebrates, dinosaurs, two mass extinctions, and the Himalayas.
While these are surely a big part of the story of India, I was really hoping that a "deep natural history" and book of this sort would actually go deeper and tell me something I don't already know.
April 27, 2020
Makes for a fascinating read, if you have lots of patience to wade through some dreary passages.
There is an onslaught of new terms and names here, you encounter a new species every few pages. So, it can get a bit overwhelming. But rich rewards await you if you can actually persevere.
Btw, it also serves as a travel guide for any aspiring fossil hunters or naturalists in India!
There were so many interesting tidbits and facts throughout, some of which will stay with you. Like : there is only 1 more surviving ape species in India, apart from us (it is called Hoolock Gibbon). Or that intriguing bit in the end if Homo Sapiens should in fact be called Pan Sapiens of whether Chimps be called Homo Troglodytes, considering our genetic similarities. Or the fact about Palakkad Gap - a 30 km gap in the Western Ghats, which formed due to Madagascar separating from India (mind blown!), or the tilt of subcontinent that causes all rivers of peninsular India flow west to east, even after originating in western ghats, sliver away from the Arabian sea.
Also, The numerous stories about discovery of rare fossils, from the biggest dinosaurs (Badapasauras, Rajasauras) to tiniest mammals, all very interesting in their own.
In summary, a very competitive retelling of the natural history of the subcontinent, some 4.5 billion years of history! (oh and accompanied by some nice illustrations)
There is an onslaught of new terms and names here, you encounter a new species every few pages. So, it can get a bit overwhelming. But rich rewards await you if you can actually persevere.
Btw, it also serves as a travel guide for any aspiring fossil hunters or naturalists in India!
There were so many interesting tidbits and facts throughout, some of which will stay with you. Like : there is only 1 more surviving ape species in India, apart from us (it is called Hoolock Gibbon). Or that intriguing bit in the end if Homo Sapiens should in fact be called Pan Sapiens of whether Chimps be called Homo Troglodytes, considering our genetic similarities. Or the fact about Palakkad Gap - a 30 km gap in the Western Ghats, which formed due to Madagascar separating from India (mind blown!), or the tilt of subcontinent that causes all rivers of peninsular India flow west to east, even after originating in western ghats, sliver away from the Arabian sea.
Also, The numerous stories about discovery of rare fossils, from the biggest dinosaurs (Badapasauras, Rajasauras) to tiniest mammals, all very interesting in their own.
In summary, a very competitive retelling of the natural history of the subcontinent, some 4.5 billion years of history! (oh and accompanied by some nice illustrations)
February 23, 2023
4.5/5 First things first - This book was a visual delight. I do not remember any other book that had so many apt pics placed aptly alongwith the text (and not lazily lumped together somewhere in the middle).
Secondly, the research and the content is exhaustive. It blew my mind away to read a true history of the geography (and wild-life) of India (sly on Sanjeev Sanyal).
Having said that, wish he had a better editor/guide. The book's chapters are not sub-divided into sub-chapters and feel like reading a long sentence without any commas :) Secondly, better storytelling skills are needed.
Summing up, highly recommended !
Secondly, the research and the content is exhaustive. It blew my mind away to read a true history of the geography (and wild-life) of India (sly on Sanjeev Sanyal).
Having said that, wish he had a better editor/guide. The book's chapters are not sub-divided into sub-chapters and feel like reading a long sentence without any commas :) Secondly, better storytelling skills are needed.
Summing up, highly recommended !
October 26, 2023
This is an engaging and educational read, but not an easy one. In fact, it makes an excellent bedtime read because you can only take in so much of it at a time and its textbook-like content occasionally has a soporific effect.
However, it is full of fascinating facts and well researched. Even though a lot of it is what we were taught in school, where textbooks were dry and unappealing, this one makes geological and natural history interesting and relatable, as it brings an Indian point of view wherever possible.
Although best read sequentially, this would be an excellent addition to any physical library, to dip in and read any part that strikes the fancy.
However, it is full of fascinating facts and well researched. Even though a lot of it is what we were taught in school, where textbooks were dry and unappealing, this one makes geological and natural history interesting and relatable, as it brings an Indian point of view wherever possible.
Although best read sequentially, this would be an excellent addition to any physical library, to dip in and read any part that strikes the fancy.
November 15, 2020
One of the best books I have read in 2020. This book gives a deep and thorough understanding of life on the Indian subcontinent prior to the arrival of humans as a civilizing force. Learning so much about our indigenous history, the presence and prevalence of dinosaurs in India, and the geological and biological reasons life evolved so on the Indian subcontinent was a thrilling experience. This is a must-read.
January 28, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Pranay Lal brings a wonderful sense of curiosity and amazement and takes you along on an entertaining journey. The thing with natural history is that wherever your eyes rest, every rock, every patch of land is a historical artifact with a story to tell. Suddenly every rock you see on your drives around has a significance. It wouldn't be wrong to say that I now feel a stronger bond with the land that we walk and live on.
We all have the vague idea that Himalaya rose because Indian plate is pushing into the Eurasian plate. But for the first time, I got a full mental picture of how things shaped up. Given the time scale, ancient rivers now seem like seasonal streams.
Unlike the big history books like Sapiens or GGS, this is not a perspective altering book in the sense that it doesn't leave you with big things to ponder upon. This is curiosity in its purest sense, the thrill of putting our story, our planet's story together.
I admit that I did get a little bored when he goes in detail about various species - it felt like the history back in school with neverending lists of names (of species in this case) - but as he himself says in the beginning, it is ok to skip some parts if it feels like too much detail.
I don't know of any other books that tackle this topic at this level. It is a must read. And did I mention the amazing photos and illustrations? It is a book worth owning. A condensed version for kids that concentrates on the more juicier parts and skips too much detail would be a great idea.
We all have the vague idea that Himalaya rose because Indian plate is pushing into the Eurasian plate. But for the first time, I got a full mental picture of how things shaped up. Given the time scale, ancient rivers now seem like seasonal streams.
Unlike the big history books like Sapiens or GGS, this is not a perspective altering book in the sense that it doesn't leave you with big things to ponder upon. This is curiosity in its purest sense, the thrill of putting our story, our planet's story together.
I admit that I did get a little bored when he goes in detail about various species - it felt like the history back in school with neverending lists of names (of species in this case) - but as he himself says in the beginning, it is ok to skip some parts if it feels like too much detail.
I don't know of any other books that tackle this topic at this level. It is a must read. And did I mention the amazing photos and illustrations? It is a book worth owning. A condensed version for kids that concentrates on the more juicier parts and skips too much detail would be a great idea.
August 12, 2021
Many text books can tell us the story of how the earth was first formed 450 crore years ago, how life began as microscopic organisms and how it evolved through varying circumstances to form modern humans. Clues from the land that is now the Indian subcontinent have been essential in putting together every scene in this story.
This exciting books reveals to us what ancient truths and what marvellous tales, the roads that we take in routine dispassion have to tell us. Some of earth’s very old rocks near Bangalore, impressions of sea creatures in Madhya Pradesh, a meteor impact site in Gujarat, the earliest dinosaur fossils in Andhra Pradesh, primitive whales in Pakistan and stone tools of early humans in Tamil Nadu just to get you started. The history of earth and life are recounted through the traces found in our land. Further, the book is filled with stunning images and is presented in great taste. But be warned, it is no light read. As the adjective ‘deep’ in the title indicates, it does pack in a ton of fact. However, the labour involved is well rewarded as it changes the way we understand who we really are and what lead to us.
This exciting books reveals to us what ancient truths and what marvellous tales, the roads that we take in routine dispassion have to tell us. Some of earth’s very old rocks near Bangalore, impressions of sea creatures in Madhya Pradesh, a meteor impact site in Gujarat, the earliest dinosaur fossils in Andhra Pradesh, primitive whales in Pakistan and stone tools of early humans in Tamil Nadu just to get you started. The history of earth and life are recounted through the traces found in our land. Further, the book is filled with stunning images and is presented in great taste. But be warned, it is no light read. As the adjective ‘deep’ in the title indicates, it does pack in a ton of fact. However, the labour involved is well rewarded as it changes the way we understand who we really are and what lead to us.
August 19, 2017
A stunning, brilliant book. It is utterly refreshing to read a book like this from an Indian perspective rather than the usual western point of view. And given that India is home to some of the oldest, visible elements of the planet - including right in Bangalore's Lalbagh park - it makes perfect sense. Lal's writing is delightful. He makes everything comprehensible for lay readers. often using fun pop cultural references to things like the film Sholay. Even more than that: he invites you into the weekend of natural history by writing as if it were also a travel narrative at times - complete with longitude and latitude markers for people who want to see what he's talking about in person. Accompanying all this fascinating text are gorgeous illustrations, many of which Lal did himself. It's a must read - for everyone, but I hope especially for every Indian child. I do hope it will be translated into all Indian languages soon!
March 20, 2017
Absolutely engaging read! It's a book not just about Indian natural history, but it's more of a book about history of Earth itself. The book is not only rich with well-researched content but is presented in very engaging writing style that keeps you hooked till the last page. And, the coloured plates are, no doubt, added bonus! This book has a little bit of everything; topics ranging from geology, geography, botany, to paleontology, climate change, human history and so on, and will interest a wide array of readers. I recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in natural history, or nature, in general.
July 18, 2017
The breathtaking variety of relief in India is a matter of immense pride. Pranay Lal charts it's story from the very beginning. It's definitely dense but you don't have to understand every detail to appreciate his scholarship and storytelling ability.
This is the kind of book that has the potential of shaping entire generations. The natural world is an exciting place. I loved it so much if Pranay Lal accepted Patreon I would definitely pitch in!
This is the kind of book that has the potential of shaping entire generations. The natural world is an exciting place. I loved it so much if Pranay Lal accepted Patreon I would definitely pitch in!
April 10, 2021
Whoa, a definite bookshelf keeper. I'm glad I brought the hardcover version for this. This is a book that I will keep revisiting then and now for the history of the Indian subcontinent and the places around us, whose trivia is not known well at all.
March 18, 2017
What a book! This goes right at the top of my ratings and occupies a prominent place in my bookcase. My daughter has booked it next and this may well be her first non-fiction book, which is not too bad considering her thirteen years. In fact I loved losing myself so much between the pages and the beautiful illustrations and photographs of this book that I purposely paused my reading before starting the penultimate chapter. I would have never made a "fossil" out of my bookmark for this book but I paused to let the thoughts slosh around in my mind as a took a break. I wanted to prolong the pleasure! The book has most certainly changed the way I look at rocks, crags, rivers and other paleo-geological features. The writing style is so good, it keeps one hooked, which is such an amazing feat considering the nature of the subject. The typeset is pleasing to the eye, the jacket design is very good. It is so rare to find such high quality (non-fiction) writing and book design coming out from India. The book glamorizes geology pushing it diametrically opposite to the government's apathy towards archaeology in general and uncovering new facets and preserving the few known artifacts regarding India's intriguing natural history. An interesting and respect inducing (@ Pranay Lal) part of the book lies tucked away right at the end in the fifty odd pages of detailed references and notes to the background material and research that underpins the content of the book. It's a labour of love and therefore very educative as well. We have heard of fictional and metaphorical wolves in sheep's clothing but how would you process information about "wolf like sheep" who really were whales in waiting?!!
At over 2 rupees per page, it is a bit expensive but it is well worth the price tag. I would have liked more pages :)
At over 2 rupees per page, it is a bit expensive but it is well worth the price tag. I would have liked more pages :)
August 11, 2018
A very well written book on the natural history of what eventually became the Indian sub-continent. It starts with Pangea and goes through the history of Gondwana, the moving Indian plate that met it's destiny with the Eurasian plate forming the Indian sub-continent.
Sprinkled throughout are remarkable photos, maps and illustrations. Whenever talking about a particular time in India's natural history, the author lists places in India (including their coordinates) one could visit to see the geological and fossilogical evidence of that era.
There is so much need for this book to exist that I am very happy to see it finally written. There are a few minor errors in the book, but easily forgivable (and one hopes there is a second edition where the errors are corrected).
Sprinkled throughout are remarkable photos, maps and illustrations. Whenever talking about a particular time in India's natural history, the author lists places in India (including their coordinates) one could visit to see the geological and fossilogical evidence of that era.
There is so much need for this book to exist that I am very happy to see it finally written. There are a few minor errors in the book, but easily forgivable (and one hopes there is a second edition where the errors are corrected).
August 17, 2020
Fascinating book! I must admit, I wasnt expecting a book on subjects like geology and natural history to be a captivating read and had been finding excuses to get started on it. But captivating is exactly what this book is! I actually 'heard' the book on Audible, but found myself constantly googling new terms and facts that are introduced along the way. I dont think an audio-book does justice to all the wealth of information the book has and I'm definitely ordering a hard-copy asap!
An incredible amount of research has of course gone into this and it fully deserves all the great reviews its been getting over the years! Kudos Pranay!!
An incredible amount of research has of course gone into this and it fully deserves all the great reviews its been getting over the years! Kudos Pranay!!
July 27, 2018
Pranay Lal has given India a great book on science writing for lay audiences. He charts the geological, botanical and zoological histories of the Indian subcontinent in a detailed, careful way that it is never dull. Who knew India's dinosaurs included a Kashmirosaurus and Rajasaurus! A must read for anyone interested in India's natural history, past and present.
November 16, 2023
What a wonderful book. While we were all at awe with Bill Bryson, Jared Diamond etc, Pranay Lal has made such a fantastic book on natural history with as good a flow as possible in topic such as this. Looking forward to read his other books.
August 5, 2021
Brilliant history of Deep Time, Pranay Lal is a superb storyteller, Brilliant illustrations to complement the text as well.
November 5, 2021
A masterpiece on the confluence of evolution, anthropology, climate, biology, animals and nature leading to how the Indian Subcontinent came to existence and it affected the life we are living now.
A required reading to understand India better
A required reading to understand India better
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